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NBA Conference Semifinals: Spurs vs Rockets and Celtics vs Wizards

Submitted by Sack on Thu, 05/11/2017 - 16:06

The San Antonio Spurs open as underdogs in Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinal series against the Houston Rockets, while Boston heads to Washington to attempt to win over the Wizards on their home court in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference semifinal. Here are two NBA conference semifinal games to bet on!

Two NBA Conference Semifinals Games To Bet On

What: San Antonio Spurs vs Houston Rockets

When: May 11, 2017, 8:00 PM ET

Where: Toyota Center

Spread: Rockets -6.5

Over/Under: 214

Betting on the Spurs?

The Spurs jumped ahead in the series 3-2 by winning Game 5, but were pushed to their limits by a Rockets team that refused to give up and took the game into overtime.

Kawhi Leonard took the reins, scoring 22 points, grabbing 15 rebounds, handing out four assists along with two steals and two blocks, but injured his ankle in the process. He’s listed as probable for this game which might complicate things for the Spurs.

Veteran Manu Ginonili, along with Danny Green and Patty Mills stepped up big time in overtime and did their job to secure the victory with Leonard on the sideline because of his injury. Ginobili sealed the win with a block on James Harden on the last play of the game that would’ve put the Rockets in the winning seat.

This game will be played in Houston which complicates matters even further for head coach Gregg Popovich if Leonard does not play. He’ll need to figure out a way to slow down Harden and the Houston’s slew of prolific shooters.

Betting on the Rockets?

Once more, James Harden was this team’s motor. Harden finished Game 5 with a triple-double of 33 points on 11 of 24 shooting (45.8 percent), 10 rebounds and 10 assists. However, a block in the last play of the game by Manu Ginobili handed the Rockets with a disheartening loss.

The Rockets seemed to run out of steam in the final minutes of Game 5 and into overtime which might be reason for concern for head coach Mike D’Antoni. Considering the Rockets are still at a size disadvantage in the paint, he’ll need to figure out a way for his players to not over-exert themselves in a potential drawn-out battle that once more goes into OT. Players such as Montrezl Harrell and Sam Dekker could be a viable option to give Harden, Clint Capela, and Patrick Beverley some time to recuperate.

Trends

San Antonio is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games on the road

San Antonio is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing Houston

Houston is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home

The total has gone OVER in 5 of Houston's last 6 games when playing San Antonio

Pick and Prediction: With Leonard’s injury, the Spurs will have a hard time keeping up with Houston’s shooters. The Rockets win and take the series to a seventh game in San Antonio. My pick goes to the OVER.

Boston Celtics vs Washington Wizards

When: May 12, 2017, 8:00 PM ET

Where: Verizon Center

Spread: Wizards -5

Over/Under: 216

Analysis: The Celtics did their job at home, winning big in Game 5 and jumping ahead in the series 3-2. Game 6 heads back to Washington however and it puts them between a rock and hard place.

The home team has won every game in the series and if Game 3 & 4 are any indication of how much this matters then Boston might be in for another crushing defeat. However, should this series need a seventh game, it’ll be played in Boston and thus the tide turns to the Celtics once more.

As for the Wizards, having home court advantage gives them a huge opportunity to push for the deciding seventh game. Washington opened as the 5.5-point favorite and it stands to reason that John Wall and Co. can at least hold their own on their court. The Wizards defeated the Celts by at least 19 points in each of the two games they played at Verizon Center.

Pick and Prediction: The tide turns once more in favor of the home team. Washington wins by a landslide, 119-102.

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